Chapter 377

I’m going to post Reina’s illustration in the announcement!

*****

I usually get lessons from Rod every weekend.

My basic physical specs are already solidified, and I’ve been mainly learning skills and psychological warfare.

As time passes, I’ve seen some improvements, but there are still areas where I haven’t made any progress.

“Sivar, it feels like you’re trying to fight purely on instinct.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“It’s like you’re a monster in terms of strength.”

“Hehe, thanks.”

-Thwack!

It was just as I scratched my head in embarrassment when I felt a throb on my head.

Rod had struck my head, not with the blade of his sword, but with the back of it.

Caught completely off guard by the unexpected attack, I had no choice but to take it.

“Ow! Why are you hitting me?!”

“Because it’s not a compliment! Monster-like strength? Beastly movements? You’re a person, not a beast!”

“Oh, I know! But why are you hitting me?!”

“I’m saying, why are you extending your arm there? Whether it’s psychological warfare or whatever, you just lash out!”

“Th-that’s…”

Indeed, Rod expressed his frustrations every time he taught me.

It’s good that my instincts take the lead more than expected, but that’s very dangerous.

The higher you go up, the more psychological warfare becomes crucial, and I severely lack in that aspect.

Of course, he added that with my powerful physical capabilities and innate instincts, I probably wouldn’t be a match for the average skilled fighter.

“But if you meet strong opponents like Rize, you’ll get beaten down like a dog on a hot day. You probably feel it already.”

“I thought Rize said my approach wasn’t too bad?”

“That’s right. So how about we try something practical? It’s about time I test if your arm can regenerate.”

‘… …’

That’s how it is. But I feel a bit wronged.

Maybe it’s because of the ‘Wilderness Instinct,’ but I throw punches before I even think about it.

Because of that, every time I fight someone new, it always follows a similar pattern.

I take a beating and then go for a decisive hit. Or I charge in blindly like the Hulk to crush them.

Kara was the former, while the others were the latter. Kara was technically skilled enough to counter well.

“At least it’s a relief that you use the surrounding terrain well, ambush effectively, and have excellent improvisation. Those three things are what you’ve got.”

“Thanks.”

“That’s just luck.”

Overall, it means I’m full of holes. The holes are unmistakable, but other areas are filled in.

In coding terms, it’s similar to having messy code that somehow works.

-KABOOM!

But as long as I win, that’s what counts. I looked at the collapsed windmill.

Perhaps it was the massive structure that had fallen, but dusty earth swirled around.

An ordinary person would probably get crushed or severely injured. But Reina would be fine.

With her already great physical abilities, she got even stronger thanks to the red treasure, so she should be okay.

The reason I toppled that was just to sort out my thoughts for a moment.

‘Am I really talentless?’

Luna seems to be making noticeable progress as the protagonist, and Kara has always been strong.

The first battle was with Elvin? He might have been flustered, but his basic techniques weren’t bad at all.

The others also have solid basics, so they can hit me a few times.

“Rod just seems to stick to the basics.”

Rod, while teaching me, had given up on psychological warfare. He just told me to fight as my body followed.

Instead, he set a condition. Even if I move by instinct, I should practice to create the optimal situation.

If I can’t change my style, I have to push that to the extreme.

“I learned something from the recent fight.”

I shouldn’t think. The moment I start thinking, my reactions slow down by one, no, two beats.

It’s like my reason and instincts clash, causing my reactions to become vastly delayed.

If Rod can eliminate all weaknesses and become perfect, I’m trying to use my strengths to cover my weaknesses.

-CRACK!

While I was momentarily lost in thought, Reina popped out from the debris.

Her blue hair was dust-covered, and small wounds were scattered across her body.

Even for Reina, it wouldn’t be easy to stay intact when a building toppled over her.

“Cough! Cough! Bleh! Ptooey!”

Reina kept spitting as if dirt had gotten in her mouth. She dusted herself off and lifted her head.

Her blue eyes sparkled with strong determination, looking visibly angry.

“Isn’t this a bit much?”

“Annoyed?”

“Yeah.”

“Then just win.”

If you’re frustrated, just win. That’s how I responded.

It seemed like a fitting provocation; Reina reacted with a gasp, as if astonished.

In theory classes, she’d typically come off a bit awkward, but in practical lessons, she was always passionate.

Especially since she’s ranked first in the freshmen duels, she’s likely proud of her abilities.

If I keep provoking her gently, she might eventually reveal an opening.

“I’ll do it for real now!”

“Uh-huh.”

“Uryaaaah!”

Kara did that before and ended up getting thoroughly beaten by me. That was already a year ago.

I frowned and slowly raised my hand towards Reina, who was gripping the battle axe.

Not with my gloved right hand, but my left hand.

As I lifted my hand, Reina flinched for a moment but quickly settled into a stance, realizing it was my left hand.

-Vwooom

Red magic began to condense at the tip of my index finger.

Reina must have instinctively sensed the danger, as she hurriedly assumed a defensive position.

I wondered if the Death Beam would be able to be stopped by that. Just in case, I weakened the output.

Even with that reduction, the destructive power should still be considerable. As long as it doesn’t penetrate her!

‘But just in case, I should aim for her legs.’

-Pew!

A red beam shot from the tip of my finger. It flew like an arrow.

Reina, startled by the much faster-than-expected Death Beam, quickly turned the battle axe upside down.

She used the large surface area of the battle axe as a shield.

-Ziiing!

The Death Beam collided with the battle axe. I saw Reina get pushed back just a bit.

But she managed to block it, as the Death Beam wobbled uncertainly and eventually scattered in all directions.

Of course, the Death Beam is still a Death Beam. Its influence was included with the dispersed remnants.

-Boom! Bang!

The remnants of the scattered Death Beam caused large and small explosions.

Just before the explosions occurred, the red light shone, giving off a firework-like vibe.

“Wh-what was that? Is that… magic?! There wasn’t even a chant?!”

Reina, who blocked the Death Beam, shouted in a startled voice. It definitely looked like magic superficially.

But this isn’t magic. It’s my technique that utilizes pure magic power.

Using the intricacies of condensation and sculpting, this is my unique secret.

‘Though it’s engulfed in red magic.’

In any case, regular warriors have almost no means to counter long-range attacks.

But not for me. I can hold some distance with the Death Beam.

Of course, if I shot it at a person, they wouldn’t just burst but would probably disintegrate, so I’m just trying to refrain from using it that way.

-Vwoom!

Instead of answering Reina, I pointed my finger toward her.

Reina’s eyes widened, and she quickly moved to the side, doing her best to dodge.

In reality, since the Death Beam flies in a ‘straight line,’ moving that way would significantly decrease its hit rate.

-Bang!

So instead, I withdrew my hand and charged directly at her. Reina’s eyes widened slightly as I ran towards her.

Instead of extending my fist, I swiped my hand as if it were a claw. There was no more need to engage with the basics.

No thinking; just fight instinctively, just as Rize had advised.

-Bang!

As I brought my clawed left hand down from above, Reina stepped back.

Although she was moving sideways, it didn’t seem to throw her off too much.

-Kaang!

My attack had a large motion. With such a big motion, it was only natural she’d have a chance to retaliate.

Reina recognized this and swung the battle axe, but it didn’t deal a significant blow.

-Swoosh

If anything, it was the battle axe that was getting wrecked. Reina frowned at the damaged blade of the battle axe.

She probably wished for a hammer by now. The more she hit me, the more the battle axe would break.

On the other hand, me? I can rampage all I want.

-Clang!

“Ugh!”

“Yes! It worked!”

Of course, it hurt when an axe lodged into my head. It felt like my skull was ringing.

Yet that won’t let her win. I shook off the dizziness and charged like a beast.

I didn’t care about the treasure in my right hand. I’ve played around enough, it’s time for me to get serious now.

-CRACK!

The building’s wall was torn like paper. Again, I mean it literally.

Since my hand was more like claws, this was to be expected. But not for Reina.

“No way. Am I a beast? A bear?”

People have likely seen bears tear through people before. People don’t just rip other people apart.

However, a human used their hand to tear through a solid wall like paper. The moment it happens, the game is over.

From Reina’s perspective, it must feel utterly unfair. She can’t take even one hit, but I’ve got to land dozens.

Even in a war of attrition, I hold a massive advantage. I’ve never lost due to stamina.

I may have been knocked out by Rod before, but that’s an exception.

-Sizzle!

“Ahh!”

It wasn’t that no accidents happened. Reina’s shirt had ripped as she failed to dodge in time.

Huh. In moments like this, having a big chest isn’t necessarily a good thing. Especially for someone as headstrong as Reina.

But it didn’t matter. It seemed Reina wasn’t too fussed either, checking only for her wounds before diving back into the fight.

-Bang!

Her battle axe sliced through the air and sank deep into the ground. I had feigned a charge but dodged at the last moment.

Reina frowned as she tried to retrieve her weapon, but it was already too late. I dashed over swiftly and stomped down.

Not on Reina’s body, but rather on the handle of the battle axe.

-CRACK!

“My axe!”

Reina snapped back angrily as she stepped back. With that, her hands were empty.

Her chances of winning had plummeted drastically. I looked down at the axe lodged in the ground and stared at her.

“You’re seriously overdoing it!”

“Is that a compliment?”

“Yeah! You’re really freaking strong!”

That’s exactly how Reina is. She tends to say her complaints like compliments.

While I couldn’t muster a face of indignation, I still clenched my fists tightly.

It seemed she hadn’t given up yet. Her spirit outmatched even the wild warriors.

“Want me to tell you how to beat me?”

“Yes!”

“Just get stronger.”

“How can I do that in this situation?”

Hmm. Well, that’s not wrong.

I pondered a bit before teasingly suggesting, “Pray to the gods. That should do it.”

“Which one? Gaia? Gulrak? Or maybe Chaos?”

“Don’t trust Gaia.”

Trust that airhead goddess of life? No way.

Gulrak might be somewhat better, but… still no. He has a strong old man vibe.

-Rumble!

As soon as I uttered that, a faint thunder rolled from the sky. Reina looked up with a puzzled expression.

The sky was clear blue. No matter how you slice it, reacting like a coward just because I cursed isn’t cool.

‘So it’s down to Chaos then.’

Reina likely isn’t a devotee of Chaos… She’s practically agnostic.

Well, since she’s closely associated with battle, Gulrak may have an eye on her. I should introduce her to Kara later.

“Try trusting Chaos.”

“What should I say?”

“Just ask for a weapon.”

“Hmm.”

I even felt silly saying that. Weapons don’t just appear out of nowhere, right?

But Reina knows better than anyone that it’s a lost cause. She shrugged and yelled casually, “Chaos! Give me a weapon to defeat that monster!”

“··· …”

Would you even give me anything? As I thought that, I chuckled.

-Whoosh!

Suddenly, the sound of slicing wind echoed, and—

-Thud!

Reina’s hand was clasped around Ragnarok.

……Wait a second.

“What the?! What the hell?!”

Reina jumped back in shock.

“……What the hell.”

I couldn’t help but be astonished, too.

[Your faith is increasing!]

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